Nov 30, 2011

It is certainly all schlager-smiles -as here we have now complete list of the Artists- just realeased a couple of days ago at the press conference over at Svt-

As expected and now it's confirmed -Charlotte's Perrelli will return to Melodifestivalen for the third time with

another Fredrik Kempe tune called 'The Girl' meanwhile Fredrik has a brand new act for Melodifestivalen 2012

called Youngblood- with a tune of the same name. In this batch there is alot more newbies- artist who maybe known in sweden yet never been before in Melodifestivalen. One name we were hoping for -was certainly Magnus Carlsson- however that rumour turned out to be untrue- ahhhh! there is always next year...

Danny from E M D makes it 2-years running in Melo- 2012- he will follow-up 'In the Club' with 'Amazing' - that's one way to describe Melodifestivalen 2012- let's see the list-

Nov 26, 2011

With the release of the stars of who will be in Melodifestivalen 2012 -we had a few surpises but not too many well- kept secrets as alot of the artists had been revealed from recent swedish press stories. Let's have a look at a few of the names- One firstly we all know so well is Andreas Lundstedt-

he is internationally known as the core member of Alcazar who broke-through with their massive hit 'Crying in the discoteque' a track that in 2001 was more successful in Australia, UK & Europe than at home in sweden where it only made 29 in the Swedish singles chart- however it did kick-start a career clocking up more than 12 million record sales by the end of 2005- alone.

Then alcazar reformed as a 3-some again in 2007- til 2011 when they took the 2nd break of the band's career- during this time they gave us one of their best albums with 'Disco Defenders' at the time of Melodifestivalen 2009 when 'Stay the Night' finished in 5th.

Andreas began his career in the big apple NYC he lived there from 1992-1995 making a name for himself in choreography -even training stars like Julia Roberts in dance. Then Andreas returned to Stockholm and began a Pop & stage career from back in 1996 when Andreas first debuted in Melodifestivalen -2 years running -as a solo artist- then a third time in 2007-

Finished only in 5th place - when Blond won with 'Bara hon alskar mig'

-- At this time Andreas Lundstedt released a self-titled solo album with some great songs all in english- remember during the 90s Melodifestivalen/Eurovision rules meant entries had to be song in the native language. That was different for Andreas at Melodifestivalen 2007- with:

"Move" (wrote by Andreas Lundstedt-Joan Rohr)

Finished 6th in Semi-final 1 in Jonkoping-

So now for 2012 Andreas will sing again in swedish the tune 'Aldrig Aldrig'- in a recent short interview he revealed this new song as a bitter-sweet break-up

tune perfect for him to sing- and wrote with Andreas in mind- He was not sure if he should have a go at Melodifestivalen again solo-

however the song changed his mind- it will be a tough year in Melodifestivalen to enter again- up against some of Sweden's biggest names.

Andreas may even be up against his one-time fellow band-mate ( in Alcazar ) &

Nov 22, 2011

Revealed today from the Svt press conference the first part of the Artists list- showing just who will sing the song-titles and song-writers revealed

a couple of weeks ago- It's interesting to see not too many of the Swedish Media rumours are wrong! One schlager-return that is off the cards- is for Lili & Susie

as the song 'Baby Doll' (wrote by Susie) is to be sung by dansband Top Cats- who have never been in Melodifestivalen before-

There was a bit of a question-mark also over Loreen - as she was one of the highlights of Melodifestivalen 2011 'My heart is refusing Me'

a tune that went on to become one of the summer's best Hits. So this time Loreen with a Thomas G:Son tune is set for maxinum impact, we felt Loreen has a certain Eurovision wow-factor that could do well.Equal joy to find no Alcazar but Andreas will be solo- and singing a swedish tune- this is something he has not done in Melodifestivalen since way back in 1997 certainly going back to his roots!

This track has become a firm all-time favourite song from the contest- at the time he managed to take on competion of Lena Philipsson & Greece's Sakis Rouvas to put Serbia & Montenegro one step away from Eurovision glory. So it's not

too surprising Serbia have picked Zeljko to sing for Serbia in Baku 2012 next year for a 2nd time as an artist.

However Zeljko has returned before in Eurovision 2006 as a songwriter of Hari Mata Hari's "Lejla" this gave Bosina & Herzegovina a third place at Eurovision

in Athens. He also wrote another success for Serbia at ESC 2008 the song 'Oro' was an amazing hit sung by Jelena Tomsasevic on her home-soil in Belgrade- Jelena finished 6th that year.

Early next year RTS Serbia Tv will present a new Eurovision entry also to be penned by Zeljko Joksimovic as well.

I am certain this may well be an early favourite to win Eurovision next year-

Nov 12, 2011

Melodifestivalen 2012 is turning out to be a good year for Big Stars following Eurovision Song Contest 2011- that gave Sweden a 3rd placing with Eric Saade -a new confidence seems to have returned to Melodifestivalen. One such internationaly famous star is- producer/song writer RedOne who has made his name from writing alot of Lady Gaga hits-

'Bad Romance' 'Poker Face' & her debut 'Lets Dance'

Last year he brought to the Melodifestivalen stage a new girl band- Love Generation. And according to the Swedish press Love Generation will sing a new Red One song for Melo 2012 called 'Just a little bit' . Le Love Gen Girls could find more than one girl bands to chalenge them -with the return of Afro Dite (song 'The Boy can Dance'). The three piece pop dance group who won Melodifestivalen back in 2003 already with 'Never Let it Go' are rumoured to be with us in Melo 2012.

Marie Serneholt has also worked with RedOne before when he produced A-Teens album 'Teen Spirit' before his Gaga

glory days. Marie who was our wonderful host in Melo 2011 is set to make a return for a 2nd try for Melodifestivalen success- and we hope this time Marie will make it to Globen- with some 'Salt and Pepper' for her tune!

This News - has come via the Swedish press- who speculate each year who will be in Melodifestivalen the following spring. The press are normally not far off the truth- however- the offical list of artists- is due out at the end of November 2012...

Timoteij- which translated into Australian means The TimTams !!

Also another schager-tastic return for the folk girls Timoteij - there gave us one of the best Melodifestivalen entries of recent times with 2010's 'Kom' since then they have had great success in scandinavia & overseas & dueted with Alexander Rybak- his folk tune blended perfectly with Timoteij. Their song for Melo 2012 is one of many swedish tunes 'Stormande hav' I just cannot wait to hear this track- as 'Kom' has always been one of our favourites- even in it's english version as'Run' (check it out)

Nov 9, 2011

Normally around this time of year we get from the Melodifestivalen camp- a few teasers as to who will sing which tune in the heats

starting in Feburary 2012. However it is a songwriters competition so firstly we get a list of the song titles- With those song writer credits

here is the full list announced already- as always these give some big glues as to who will sing as well.

It looks like Sonja Alden is likely to sing her penned tune 'I din Himmel' and the return of Molly Sanden as well as Andreas Johnson is likely.

Then The Moniker is back the second year running with a tune called 'I want to be Chris Issac'

-O M G what is he thinking?

Ohhh but wait (sigh) I can see now -three schlager anthems from Thomas G:Son- that's Fantastic.

I spy a schlager veteran in Lasse Holm who gave us the classics before like 'Dag efter dag' 'Framling' & 'Bra Vibrationer' to name a few- this brings to mind one other name- Kikki (-we wish? it is likey to be a return of 'Lotta- Engberg instead! )

Then only two tunes from Fredrik Kempe next year !

but double kempe magic is better than only one- we are hoping

one of the songs are made for Magnus Carlsson- finger-crossed- toes crossed- whever else.

The tune- Sanningen' is rumoured to be a comeback for Magnus! - as he has worked with Michael Clauss before.